GULFPORT, Florida - Students at Boca Ciega High School are reacting to the arrest of one of their own for bringing a gun to school. Gulfport Police say a 17-year-old in the 11th grade was taken into custody Wednesday after they found a .380 semi automatic in his backpack.

"It was kind of scary to me, because I did not know that they could bring guns into the school, because we don't have any metal detectors. So, it was kind of like crazy. Like, if he could do it, somebody else could," said senior Kiara Gaines.

According to Gulfport police, a series of text messages between the teen and a female student was brought to their attention. Police said that led them to find a gun in the student's backpack. According to authorities, the teen said he was planning to shoot himself after school, but not hurt anyone else.

Kiara said the teen's girlfriend recently broke up with him.

According to school officials, the safety procedures in place worked just as they should. "If an incident like today happens, we have to act quickly. Cause number one is, we're here to educate students. But prior to that, we need to make sure that they're safe first," said Boca Ciega principal Michael Vigue.

The student, who police are not identifying, was taken into custody and also undergoing a psychological evaluation. He is being charged with Possession of a Firearm on School Property.